Comments on: Mas salamah (goodbye)

by: » Of journalism’s checks and balances » Terry Heaton’s PoMo Blog » Blog Archive

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:35:53 +0000

[…] I concur that without checks and balances, we are certainly passing a form of decay off as progress, but any serious blogger knows that his or her audience provides a kind of check and balance that institutional journalism doesn’t know. Take a look, for instance, at the comment by Tom Tucker on my entry below about illegally sold DVDs in Amman. This is my editor, if you will, and I can understand why Rago would be concerned about this with political writers, because they may be more inclined to dismiss criticism that I am. […]

by: Terry

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 02:02:54 +0000

Tom,

The copyright laws of the U.S. have problems in foreign countries, witness the problems the RIAA is having with Russian download sites. There, however, the sites download to Americans, and I view that very differently than I do this. It’s a question to me of what’s enough? I’m sorry if I come off as rejoicing over law-breaking, because I certainly understand that what’s taking place there is illegal, according to U.S. law.

I’m one of those people who believes the whole thing needs to be rewritten in light of circumstances. The rule of law has to be able to shift with time, which is why the law isn’t God.

Terry

by: Tom Tucker

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 01:23:05 +0000

Terry I always enjoy reading what you have to say, I appreciate your soul and your spirit. While I agree the copyrighters have ripped us off in a sense over the years, I’m not sure I agree with the way you essentially bless those who violate laws. Yes, poverty is a bad thing and we should all help those less fortunate, but what about the rule of law?

by: Holly

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 15:59:07 +0000

Thanks for the update, Mr. Waseem! I, and Terry’s other readers, I am sure, have really enjoyed reading about you and your beautiful family. I never even left my little town this week, and many of my assumptions and biases have been shattered. Thanks for that, too.

by: Waseem

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 09:27:05 +0000

For all of you who care about the beloved guest we had for a week, I just dropped him off at the airport. It is 5:00 am now in Amman; his flight will just leave in about 5 minutes. He left behind him precious memories that we will enjoy and cherish for ever. It is so sad to say good bye to you, but you left so much love in this house that is going to stay with us and comfort us until we see you again.. I pray for your safe return to your second home in the U.S., Dad.

by: Safran

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 00:22:29 +0000

Safe journey, T-Man. You brought me right along with you thanks to your always splendid writings. I particularly like how you gave us a look at ourselves through a different lens. Proof that we, as a country, can have differences with other countries - but we, people, should celebrate our similarities and differences all the same.

Here’s to a Busy 2007!

by: Haitham

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 21:21:24 +0000

Assalamo Alaikom Mr.Terry
Thank you for the wonderful writing, you should write for National Geographic!
I’m very sad I could’nt say good bye in person, but that’s where the net steps in so: good bye and be safe, and we will be waiting for your next visit ( by the way I really enjoyed our little chat the other day )
Cheers!

by: Holly

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 18:28:40 +0000

If I have the time zones figured out correctly, he leaves Jordan around 9PM Central Time on Sunday and will get back sometime Monday afternoon.

by: mike

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 17:57:07 +0000

You are probably at twenty thousand feet as I write this but may you have a safe journey home. Merry Christmas Terry.

by: Holly

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 15:16:01 +0000

I really hope that you will turn your experiences in Jordan into an article or series of articles for public reading in the U.S. Absolutely fascinating reading.